Today, about half of our week's team of 14 people left for home. We barely knew each other last week, and it was so difficult to see them leave tonight. Once again, the skill and passion of these lawyers, law students and professors was inspirational.
Some of these lawyers meet with a client early in their week here, to prepare for a bond hearing. In doing so, they learn about the women's stories, spend time with their children and many hours on the phone with family members, in an effort to gather necessary documents and assure that the bond will be paid, when set. Sometime mid-week, they go to court together and present the case to a judge in Denver. Once in a while, and this happened today, they know of their clients' releases before they leave Artesia. This week, it was especially nice that the law students' client "bonded out" while they were still here. A bittersweet separation. (Many attorneys decide to continue their pro bono representation of their clients, even after returning home.)
This morning, I learned of a tragic sort of separation that is happening here. One of our clients scheduled for today was crossed out, with "El Paso" written in the margin. When I asked about this, I learned that when a child "ages out" or turns 17, I believe, the mother and child are separated and sent to different detention centers, as they are no longer eligible for family detention together. I know many of you can clearly imagine the pain of mother and child being separated from one another, after a long a arduous trip together. I could not have tolerated a separation of this sort from my son when he was that age; not knowing the conditions of his environment, how his case would be handled, etc.
This must end.
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